We’re just over two weeks separated from Splash Mountain closing at Disneyland to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. While we’ve been tracking some of the prep work like signage removal, it seems construction is finally beginning in earnest with scaffolding and stairs installed around the structure.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Transformation Begins at Disneyland
While the walls went up right after Splash Mountain closed last month, construction seems to have taken a bit to get underway.
A closer look at Chick-A-Pin Hill reveals a set of stairs going all the way up the attraction’s climactic drop. Some other scaffolding near the mill and the lower briar patch section of the ride.
These stairs appear to facilitate easy access to the top interior section of the structure, including Br’er Fox’s Lair. The stairs don’t have any access to the exterior sections at present.
Scaffolds are also up around the flume section on the front of the ride just before the first drop into the show building.
While no major removals or other work have taken place within guest view on the mountain itself, the scaffolding definitely indicates that more intense work like we’ve seen at the Magic Kingdom is preparing to get underway.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure takes place after the events of “The Princess and the Frog.” The Splash Mountain landscaping will be updated to make it look more like a Louisiana bayou. The iconic tree that was included in the original concept art will be removed as it doesn’t fit the new backstory.
While Splash Mountain was part of Critter Country, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be absorbed into the neighboring New Orleans Square. Right now, guests can visit Eudora’s Chic Boutique Featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets, a shop featuring “The Princess and the Frog” merchandise as well as New Orleans-related items. Tiana’s Palace, replacing French Market Restaurant, is under construction.
The attraction will follow Tiana venturing into the bayou to find animal friends. She’ll be hosting a party for the people of New Orleans, but missing a special ingredient. Some of the original cast will be providing their voices to the attraction, including Anika Noni Rose (Tiana), Bruno Campos (Naveen), Michael Leon Wooley (Louis), and Jennifer Lewis (Mama Odie).
Recently one of the largest-ever announcements regarding this ride’s interior details was made, indicating 17 uniquely original characters and dozens of new audio-animatronics, along with a musical composition team composed of award-winning artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard.
Splash Mountain closed January 23, while the Disneyland version closed May 31. The Tokyo Disneyland version remains operating with no plans to change.
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